Methods and apparatus to monitor media presentations

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus to monitor media presentations are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include presenting information via a display of a media device, the information indicating that monitor software in the media device can be enabled, the monitor software to monitor media presented by the media device, the monitor software to be disabled by default. Disclosed example methods also include detecting a first user input that is to authorize the monitor software in the media device to be enabled, and in response to detection of the first user input: (i) enabling the monitor software in the media device to generate and report at least one of video fingerprints, audio fingerprints, video watermarks or audio watermarks representative of media presented by the media device, and (ii) transmitting, via a network interface, a notification to a remote monitoring entity to indicate that the monitor software in the media device has been enabled.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/355,272, filed on Mar. 15, 2019, and entitled “METHODS ANDAPPARATUS TO MONITOR MEDIA PRESENTATIONS,” which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/299,156, filed on Oct. 20, 2016, andentitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR MEDIA PRESENTATIONS,” whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/073,656, filedon Nov. 6, 2013, and entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS TO MONITOR MEDIAPRESENTATIONS,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/774,461, which was filed on Mar. 7, 2013.Priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/299,156, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/073,656 and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/774,461 is claimed. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/355,272,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/299,156, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/073,656 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/774,461 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirrespective entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to monitoring media presentations,and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus to monitor mediapresentations.

BACKGROUND

Media providers and/or metering entities such as, for example,advertising companies, broadcast networks, etc. are often interested inthe viewing, listening, and/or media behavior of audience members and/orthe public in general. To collect these behaviors and/or interests, anaudience measurement company may enlist panelists (e.g., personsagreeing to have their media exposure habits monitored) to cooperate inan audience measurement study. The viewing behavior of these panelistsas well as demographic data about the panelists is collected and used tostatistically determine (e.g., project, estimate, etc.) the size anddemographics of a larger viewing audience. Traditionally, thosepanelists log their exposure to media (e.g., movies they have watched,television shows they have seen, etc.) in a notebook and send thenotebook to the media provider and/or metering entity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates example packaging for example media devices.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example media device for monitoringmedia presentations.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the example monitor of the example mediadevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative implementation of the example mediadevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative implementation of the example mediadevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system wherein the respective monitor ofeach media device reports monitoring information directly to the centralfacility of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system wherein the respective monitors ofthe media devices report monitoring information to a master monitor,which then reports the monitoring information to the central facility ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system wherein the respective monitor ofeach media device reports monitoring information to a local monitoringdata aggregator, which then reports the monitoring information to thecentral facility of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example order of events associated with differentmedia devices.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example log of monitoring data stored by theexample monitor associated with the example television of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example log of monitoring data stored by theexample monitor associated with the example set-top box of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example log of monitoring data stored by theexample monitor associated with the example digital versatile disk (DVD)player of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example log of monitoring data stored by theexample monitor associated with the example gaming console of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to obtain permission to enable monitoring.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to offer a monitoring agreement in exchange for permission toenable monitoring.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to create a log of monitoring data.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to create a log of monitoring data.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to identify users present for a media presentation.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to identify users present for a media presentation using animaging device.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an example processor platform capable ofexecuting the example machine-readable instructions of FIGS. 14, 15, 16,17, 18, and/or 19 to implement the example meter of FIG. 3.

The figures are not to scale. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying writtendescription to refer to the same or like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “media” includes any type of audio and/or videocontent and/or advertisement, including television programming, radio,movies, web sites, etc. Example methods, apparatus, and articles ofmanufacture disclosed herein identify media presented via a mediadevice. As described herein, a media device includes any device used inconnection with presenting media to a user. For example, a media devicemay include (1) a media presentation device (e.g., a television, anInternet enabled television, an audio system, etc.), (2) a mediatransmitting device (e.g., an Internet radio streaming device, apersonal computer, a Roku® media player, a Slingbox®, a Tivo®, an AppleTV®, a Xbox®, a PlayStation® 3, etc.), and/or (3) an auxiliary mediadevice (e.g., 3D glasses, a Microsoft Kinect®, a PlayStation® Eye, aRazer Hydra, a Bluetooth headset, etc.). In some examples, usageinformation of media devices used in consumer locations (e.g., homes,offices, etc.) is collected and/or aggregated to determine ownershipand/or usage statistics of various media devices, relative rankings ofusage and/or ownership of media devices, type(s) of uses of mediadevices (e.g., whether a device is used for browsing the Internet,streaming media from the Internet, etc.), and/or other type(s) of mediadevice information.

In known systems, the audience measurement data is collected using ametering and/or monitoring device separate from the media device (e.g.,a set top box) installed at a location of a panelist (e.g., a panelist'shome). These known metering devices collect metering information basedon what is being presented in the vicinity of the metering device. Thatis, if a television is presenting a television show, the metering deviceidentifies the television show and records audience measurementinformation based on the identification. In some examples, the meteringdevice identifies the presented media using codes embedded in and/orsignatures associated with the presented media. However, not all mediamay be accurately identified using codes and/or signatures. For example,when an audio source is muted and/or acoustic noise is present near themedia device, accurately identifying a code and/or a signature presentin the media may not be possible.

In some examples, the metering information identifies the mediapresentation device and/or the panelist associated with the mediapresentation. The audience measurement information may not identifyand/or may inaccurately identify the source of the media (e.g., may notidentify a streaming service provider such as, for example, Hulu®,Netflix®, Pandora®, Spotify®, iHeartRadio™, may not identify a localmedia providing device such as, for example, a digital versatile disk(DVD) player, a gaming console, etc.). The audience measurementinformation may not identify and/or may inaccurately identify the sourceof the media because the media device may not have access to suchmedia-identifying information.

In examples disclosed herein, media monitoring functionality isintegrated into the media device. Media monitoring functionality isimplemented using monitor circuitry. The monitor is further described inconnection with FIG. 3. Because the monitor is implemented internal tothe media device, the monitor has access to information that wouldotherwise remain internal to the media device. For example, the monitormay have access settings such as a volume level, display settings,selected inputs, etc. In some examples, the monitor circuitry monitorsdata lines and/or buses within the media device to identify controlsignals within the media device. For example, the monitor may watch aninput line such as, for example, an infrared (IR) sensor, a radiofrequency (RF) sensor, etc. to identify control commands received from auser.

FIG. 1 illustrates example packaging 105, 110 for example media devices106, 111. In the illustrated example, the media presentation device 106is an electronic gaming system (e.g., a Microsoft Xbox®, a SonyPlayStation® 3, etc.). The example packaging 105 for the mediapresentation device 106 includes a label 115 indicating that the mediapresentation device 106 has a ‘monitor inside.’ For example, theindication of ‘monitor inside’ indicates to a purchaser that the mediapresentation device 106 has been implemented to monitor mediaconsumption and/or presentation, generate media monitoring information,and/or send media monitoring information to a central facility, asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 2. For example, a monitoring entitymay provide a manufacturer of the media device 106 with a softwaredevelopment kit (SDK) for integrating monitoring functionality in themedia device 106 to perform the monitoring and sending monitoringinformation to the monitoring entity. In some examples, the SDK isprovided to an entity other than the manufacturer (e.g., an applicationdeveloper, an after-market modifier, etc.), to facilitateinstrumentation of the monitoring functionality in the media device 106.In such an example, the monitoring functionality may be installed attime after manufacturing. In some illustrated examples, the media device106 may be configured to perform monitoring as soon as the media device106 is powered on. Alternatively, the media presentation device 102 mayrequest user input (e.g., accepting an agreement, enabling a setting,etc.) before enabling monitoring.

In contrast to the packaging 105, the example packaging 110 includes alabel 120 indicating that the media device is ‘monitor ready.’ Theindication of ‘monitor ready’ indicates to the purchaser that monitoringfunctionality for the media device 111 may be installed and/or enabledafter purchase. For example, monitoring functionality may be installedby, for example, downloading monitoring functionality from the Internetand installing the functionality, inserting and/or adding an additionalcircuit to the media device 111, etc. In some examples, the monitoringfunctionality may be installed at the time of purchase, and may be laterenabled by, for example, receiving a user's consent to enable monitoringfunctionality. Alternatively, a manufacturer of the media device 111 maynot include monitoring functionality in the media device 111 at the timeof purchase and the monitoring functionality may be made available bythe manufacturer, by a monitoring entity, by a third party, etc. forretrieval/download and installation on the media device 111.

Monitor Installed in a Media Presentation Device

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example media device 205 for monitoringmedia presentations. In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the mediadevice 205 is a media presentation device. In the examples disclosedherein the media device is, for example, a television, an Internetenabled television (e.g., a smart TV), an audio system (e.g., areceiver), etc. That is, the media device 205 presents media to one ormore users via, for example, a display, speakers, etc. The media device205 of the illustrated example of FIG. 2 includes a high definitionmedia interface (HDMI) decoder 210, a tuner 220, a media application230, a control processor 240, and a switch 250. The HDMI decoder 210 isconnected to an HDMI port 215. The tuner 220 is connected to a coaxialport 225. The media application 230 is connected to an Ethernet port 235and/or a wireless port 237. The control processor 240 receives commandsfrom a control receiver 245. Based on those commands, the controlprocessor controls the activities of the HDMI decoder 210, the tuner220, the media application 230, and/or the switch 250. The switch 250,based on the control input received from the control processor 240,selects which input will be sent to an audio port 255 and a video port257. The control processor 240 includes a logging interface 247. Thelogging interface 247 transmits log messages to a monitor 270. In theillustrated example, the monitor 270 additionally receives inputs fromthe audio output 255 and the video output 257. The monitor 270, based onthe inputs received from the logging interface 247, the audio output255, and/or the video output 257, stores audience measurementinformation. The monitor 270 transmits the audience measurementinformation to a central facility 275.

The example HDMI decoder 210 the illustrated example decodes HDMI datareceived via the HDMI port 215. In some examples the HDMI data may carryaudio data, video data, control data, network data, etc. Thus, the HDMIdecoder 210 may interpret any of these types of data such that the datamay be presented to the user. In the illustrated example, audio and/orvideo is received via the HDMI port 215. The example HDMI port 215 isimplemented to receive a first end of HDMI cable. A second end of theHDMI cable is connected to a different media device (e.g., a DVD player,gaming console, etc.) While in the illustrated example an HDMI port isused, any other type of audio and/or video port may additionally oralternatively be used. For example, audio and video may be received viaan S-video port, a composite video port, component video port, a digitalcoax port, a Sony Philips Digital Interconnect Format (S/PDIF) port, adisplay port, USB port, serial port, VGA port, a DVI port, etc.

The example tuner 220 of the illustrated example tunes broadcast datareceived via the coax port 225. In the illustrated example, the tuner220 is an advanced television systems committee (ATSC) tuner, and iscapable of tuning high-definition television (HDTV) signals broadcastover the air. However, any other type of tuner may additionally oralternatively be used such as, for example, a cable card tuner, aNational Television System Committee (NTSC) tuner, etc. While in theillustrated example a coax port 225 is used, any other type of port forreceiving broadcast media may additionally or alternatively be used suchas, for example, an Ethernet port, a wireless port, etc.

The example media application 230 of the illustrated example is anapplication that is executed by the media presentation device 205. Inthe illustrated example, media application is implemented by a smart TVapplication. However, any other type of application may additionally oralternatively be used such as, for example, a Pandora application, aNetflix application, a Hulu application, etc. In the illustratedexample, the media application 230 retrieves media from an Internetand/or a network location so that the media may be displayed to theuser. In the illustrated example, media is received via the Ethernetport 235 and/or the wireless port 237. The Ethernet port 235 is anetwork port that is connected to an Ethernet network via an Ethernetcable. The wireless port 237 connects the media device 205 to thenetwork using a wireless network connection such as, for example Wi-Fi.While in the illustrated example Wi-Fi is used as a wireless networkconnection, any other type of wireless networking technology mayadditionally or alternatively be used such as, for example, Bluetooth,near field communication (NFC), a cellular radio, etc.

The example control receiver 245 of the illustrated example receivescommands from a user via infrared (IR) signaling. That is, commands to,for example, change a channel, increase volume, modify a setting for aselected input, etc. are received via the control receiver 245. In someexamples, the control receiver 245 receives commands via radio frequency(RF) communication, network communication, etc. In the illustratedexample, the commands received by the control receiver 245 are passed tothe control processor 240. In some examples, commands received by thecontrol receiver 245 are also passed to and/or monitored by the monitor270.

In the illustrated example, infrared commands received for the mediadevice 205 are monitored. However, infrared commands associated withmultiple devices are typically broadcast by control devices (e.g.,remote controls) to multiple infrared receivers. That is, an infraredcommand from a remote control associated with a DVD player may bereceived by a television. The television may not recognize the command(because it is a command associated with the DVD player), and may notperform any action in response to the command. However, the monitor 270may store the command regardless of whether the media device 205 is ableto decode and/or process the command. Storing commands that cannot bedecoded and/or processed by the media device enables the monitor 270 togather information related to activities of other nearby media devices.For example, if an infrared command instructing a DVD player to playmedia is received by a monitor associated with a television, themonitoring data stored by the monitor may be analyzed to identify thatthe DVD player was the source of the media.

The example control processor 240 of the illustrated example of FIG. 2is implemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but it could additionally or alternatively be implementedby an application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmablelogic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s)(FPLD(s)), an analog circuit, and/or other circuitry. The examplecontrol processor 240 of the illustrated example controls operation ofthe example HDMI decoder 210, the example tuner 220, the example mediaapplication 230, and/or the example switch 250. In some examples, thecontrol processor 240 may control operation of other components of themedia device 205. For example, the control processor 240 may controlwhich wireless network to which the wireless port 237 is connected, thecontrol processor 240 may control volume settings for the audio output255, the control processor 240 may control video settings for the videooutput 257, etc.

The example control processor 240 of the illustrated example of FIG. 2includes a logging interface 247. The example logging interface 247outputs information (e.g., a stream of activity notifications) that maybe analyzed to identify what the media device 205 is doing at aparticular time. For example, the logging interface 247 may outputinformation such as, for example, an indication that the controlprocessor 240 is instructing the tuner 220 to change to a particularchannel, an indication that the control processor 240 received aninstruction from the control receiver 245, an indication that thecontrol processor 240 is instructing the switch 250 to route media fromthe media application 230 to the audio and video outputs 255, 257, anindication that the control processor 240 is instructing the mediaapplication 230 to etc. In the illustrated example, the logginginterface 247 outputs the information to the monitor 270.

The example monitor 270 of the illustrated example of FIG. 2 isimplemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but it could additionally or alternatively be implementedby an ASIC(s), PLD(s) and/or FPLD(s), an analog circuit, and/or othercircuitry. The example monitor 270 receives information related to theactivities of the media device 205 and stores the information in a datastore. In some examples, the monitor 270 receives information from theaudio and/or video output 255, 257 so that the monitor 270 may identifythe media being presented. For example, the monitor 270 may analyze themedia to identify codes and/or signatures associated with the presentedmedia. The example monitor 270 transmits the information in the datastore to the central facility 275 so that it may be analyzed.

The example central facility 275 of the illustrated example isimplemented by one or more servers that collect and process audiencemeasurement data from the media device 205 to generate media monitoringinformation and/or reports. The central facility 275 analyzes theaudience measurement data to identify, for example, which mediapresentation devices are the most-frequently owned, which mediapresentation device are the most-frequently used, which mediapresentation devices are the least-frequently owned, which media devicesare the least-frequently used, which media providers are themost/least-frequently used, when particular media is presented, and/orany other media statistics or information that may be determined fromthe data. In some examples, the central facility 275 analyzes theaudience measurement data to identify the most/least-frequently usedtype(s) of media devices for particular type(s) and/or genre(s) ofmedia. The audience measurement data may also be correlated or processedwith factors such as demographic and/or geo-demographic data (e.g., ageographic location of the media exposure measurement location, age(s)of the panelist(s) associated with the media presentation location, anincome level of a panelist, etc.) to facilitate extrapolation and/orprojection of media exposure to population(s) of interest. Media deviceinformation may be useful to manufacturers and/or advertisers todetermine which features should be improved, determine which featuresare popular among users, identify geo-demographic trends with respect tomedia presentation devices, identify market opportunities, developand/or create advertisements and/or advertisement campaigns, determineamounts to be paid for advertisements, and/or otherwise evaluate theirown and/or their competitors' products and/or marketing efforts. Mediaprovider information may be useful to media providers, advertisers, etc.to determine costs of advertisements broadcast by the media provider,comparative levels of customers that use different media providers, etc.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the example monitor 270 of the examplemedia device of FIG. 2. The example monitor 270 of FIG. 3 includes alogging data receiver 310, an overlay controller 320, a media identifier330, a timestamper 340, a registration data receiver 350, a data store360, a data controller 365, and a network communicator 370.

The example logging data receiver 310 of the illustrated example of FIG.3 is implemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but it could additionally or alternatively be implementedby an application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmablelogic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)),an analog circuit, and/or digital circuitry. The example logging datareceiver 310 receives logging data related to the activities of themedia device 205 from the logging interface 247 of the control processor240. The example logging data receiver 310 stores the received loggingdata in the data store 360.

The example overlay controller 320 of the illustrated example of FIG. 3is implemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but could additionally or alternatively be implemented byany other logic circuit, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, and/or other analog and/ordigital circuitry. In the illustrated example, the overlay controller320 interacts with the control processor 240 to present an overlay viathe audio and/or video output(s) 255, 257. For example, the overlaycontroller 320 may cause a prompt to be displayed by the media device205 to, for example, request that a user of the media device 205identify themselves, to request a user of the media device to enterdemographic information, to request permission to enable monitoring ofthe media device 205, etc.

Example overlays presented using the overlay controller 320 may includea prompt requesting an answer to a yes or no question (e.g., “Mike, isthat you watching the TV? (1) yes, or (2) no”, “Is there anyone elsewatching the TV with you? (1) yes, or (2) no”, etc.), a promptrequesting an answer to a multiple-choice question (e.g., “Can youplease identify yourself: (1) Mike, (2) Bob, (3) Cheryl, (4) Someoneelse”), a prompt requesting feedback about the media being presented,etc. In some examples, the overlay controller 320 interacts with themedia device 205 to cause an overlay of the media device to bepresented. For example, the overlay controller 320 may cause an overlayused with a Microsoft Xbox® that includes an avatar of the user.Presenting an avatar that is used with other media devices (e.g., aMicrosoft Xbox®, a Nintendo Wii®, etc.) enables the user to more quicklydetermine whether the monitor 270 has properly identified the user.Furthermore, using an avatar that the user is already familiar with (byvirtue of using that avatar with their media devices), creates a moreimmersive presentation and/or monitoring experience.

The example media identifier 330 of the illustrated example of FIG. 3 isimplemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but could additionally or alternatively be implemented byany other logic circuit, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, and/or other analog and/ordigital circuitry. The example media identifier 330 receives input fromthe audio and/or video output(s) 255, 257. The media identifier 330processes the inputs to identify the media being presented by the mediadevice 205. Identifying the media at this stage, as well as at thelogging information level, enables identification of media that may notbe identified based solely on the logging information received from thelogging interface 247. In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the mediaidentifier 330 uses codes and/or watermarks to identify the media.Indicia identifying the media such as, for example, a code, a signature,a watermark, a fingerprint, and/or any information derived from,extracted from, converted from, etc. a code, a signature, a watermark, afingerprint, etc. are stored by the media identifier 330 in the datastore 360.

Audio watermarking is a technique used to identify media such astelevision broadcasts, radio broadcasts, advertisements (televisionand/or radio), downloaded media, streaming media, prepackaged media,etc. Existing audio watermarking techniques identify media by embeddingaudio codes (e.g., a watermark), such as media identifying informationand/or an identifier that may be mapped to media identifyinginformation, into an audio and/or video component having a signalcharacteristic sufficient to hide the watermark. As used herein, theterms “code” or “watermark” are used interchangeably and are defined tomean any identification information (e.g., an identifier) that may beinserted or embedded in the audio or video of media (e.g., a program oradvertisement) for the purpose of identifying the media or for anotherpurpose such as tuning (e.g., a packet identifying header). As usedherein “media” refers to audio and/or visual (still or moving) contentand/or advertisements. To identify watermarked media, the watermark(s)are extracted and compared to reference watermarks that are mapped tomedia identifying information.

Unlike media monitoring techniques based on codes and/or watermarksincluded with and/or embedded in the monitored media, fingerprint orsignature-based media monitoring techniques generally use one or moreinherent characteristics of the monitored media during a monitoring timeinterval to generate a substantially unique proxy for the media. Such aproxy is referred to as a signature or fingerprint, and can take anyform (e.g., a series of digital values, a waveform, etc.) representativeof any aspect(s) of the media signal(s)(e.g., the audio and/or videosignals forming the media presentation being monitored). A goodsignature is one that is repeatable when processing the same mediapresentation, but that is unique relative to other (e.g., different)presentations of other (e.g., different) media. Accordingly, the term“fingerprint” and “signature” are used interchangeably herein and aredefined herein to mean a proxy for identifying media that is generatedfrom one or more inherent characteristics of the media.

Signature-based media monitoring generally involves determining (e.g.,generating and/or collecting) signature(s) representative of a mediasignal (e.g., an audio signal and/or a video signal) output by amonitored media device and comparing the monitored signature(s) to oneor more references signatures corresponding to known (e.g., reference)media sources. Various comparison criteria, such as a cross-correlationvalue, a Hamming distance, etc., can be evaluated to determine whether amonitored signature matches a particular reference signature. When amatch between the monitored signature and one of the referencesignatures is found, the monitored media can be identified ascorresponding to the particular reference media represented by thereference signature that matched the monitored signature. Becauseattributes, such as an identifier of the media, a presentation time, abroadcast channel, etc., are collected for the reference signature,these attributes may then be associated with the monitored media whosemonitored signature matched the reference signature.

The example timestamper 340 of the illustrated example of FIG. 3 isimplemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but could additionally or alternatively be implemented byany other logic circuit, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, and/or other analog and/ordigital circuitry. In the illustrated example of FIG. 3, the timestamper340 timestamps media identifications and/or logging data stored in thedata store 360 by the logging data receiver 310, the media identifier330, the registration data receiver 350, etc. Timestamping (e.g.,recording a time and/or a date that an event occurred) enables accurateidentification and/or correlation of media that was presented withpersons in the audience.

The example registration data receiver 350 of the illustrated example ofFIG. 3 is implemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but could additionally or alternatively be implemented byany other logic circuit, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, and/or other analog and/ordigital circuitry. In the illustrated example, demographic informationis obtained from the user when the user joins (i.e., registers for) thepanel. In the illustrated example, the registration data (e.g.,demographic information) is received via the logging data receiver 310in response to a prompt displayed to the user by the overlay controller320. Additionally or alternatively, the demographic information may beobtained from the user in any other way (e.g., via a telephoneinterview, by having the user complete an online survey, etc.).Additionally or alternatively, panelists may be contacted and/orenlisted using any desired methodology (e.g., random selection,statistical selection, phone solicitations, Internet advertisements,surveys, advertisements in shopping malls, product packaging, etc.). Theexample registration data receiver 350 stores the received registrationdata in the example data store 360.

The example data store 360 of the illustrated example of FIG. 3 may beany device for storing data such as, for example, flash memory, magneticmedia, optical media, etc. Furthermore, the data stored in the datastore 360 may be in any data format such as, for example, binary data,comma delimited data, tab delimited data, structured query language(SQL) structures, etc. While, in the illustrated example, the data store360 is illustrated as a single database, the data store 360 may beimplemented by any number and/or type(s) of databases.

The example data controller 365 of the illustrated example of FIG. 3 isimplemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but could additionally or alternatively be implemented byany other logic circuit, ASIC, DSP, FPGA, and/or other analog and/ordigital circuitry. In the illustrated example, the data controller 365manages records stored in the data store 360. For example, the datacontroller 365 controls transmission of stored records, deletion of agedrecords, determining if a storage threshold of the data store 360 isexceeded, etc.

The example network communicator 370 of the illustrated example of FIG.3 is an Ethernet interface. In the illustrated example, the networkcommunicator 370 transmits data stored in the data store 360 to thecentral facility 275. In one example, the data is transmitted to thecentral facility 275 using one or more HTTP requests. For example, theHTTP request may be a dummy request in that it is not intended toreceive data, but rather is used as a vehicle to carry monitoring data(e.g., panelist demographic information, logging data information, mediaidentifying information, etc.) to the central facility 275. However, anyother way of transmitting data may additionally or alternatively be usedsuch as, for example, a file transfer protocol (FTP), etc. In someexamples, the network communicator 370 is used to transmit monitoringdata from one monitor 270 to another. For example, in an audio-visualsystem having multiple components (e.g., a television, a set-top box, areceiver, a DVD player, etc.), each component may include a monitor 270.As described in connection with FIGS. 6-8, monitoring data may betransmitted from one monitor to another prior to being transmitted tothe central facility 275.

While in the illustrated example, the network communicator 370 is anEthernet interface, any other type of interface may additionally oralternatively be used. For example, the network communicator 370 mightinclude one or more of a Bluetooth interface, a Wi-Fi interface, adigital subscriber line (DSL) interface, a T1 interface, etc. While inthe illustrated example a single network communicator 370 is shown, anynumber and/or type(s) of network communicators may additionally oralternatively be used. For example, two network communicators (e.g., anEthernet interface and a Bluetooth interface) may be used. In such anexample, a first network communicator (e.g., an Ethernet interface) mayreceive and/or transmit monitoring data to the central facility 275,while a second network communicator may receive and/or transmitmonitoring data to and/or from other media monitors. In the illustratedexample, the network communicator 370 of the illustrated exampleperiodically and/or a-periodically transmits monitoring data from thedata store 360 to the central facility 275.

Monitor Installed in a Media Device

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative media device 405 of the example mediadevice 205 of FIG. 2. As described above, the example media device 205of FIG. 2 includes the HDMI decoder 210, the tuner 220, and the switch250. The example media device 405 of FIG. 4 does not include the HDMIdecoder 210, the tuner 220, or the switch 250. That is, the media device205 of FIG. 2 represents a device including multiple inputs andswitching capacity such as, for example, an audio/video receiver, atelevision, etc. The example media device 405 of FIG. 4 represents adevice such as, for example, a set top box, a DVD player, a gamingconsole (e.g., a Microsoft Xbox®, a Nintendo Wii®, etc.) etc.

The example media device 405 includes the Ethernet port 235, thewireless port 237, the media application 230, the control receiver 245,the control processor 240, the logging interface 247, the audio output255, and the video output 257. Furthermore, the example media device 405of FIG. 4 includes a media drive 415. However, additional and/oralternative example media devices may or may not include all of thesecomponents. For example, an Internet streaming device (e.g., a Rokumedia player, an Apple TV®, etc.) may not include the media drive 415and the Ethernet port 235. In the illustrated example of FIG. 4, themedia application 230 receives media from one or more of the media drive415, the Ethernet port 235, and the wireless port 237. The example mediadevice 405 of FIG. 4 includes the monitor 270.

The example media drive 415 of the illustrated example of FIG. 4 isimplemented by a DVD drive. However, the media drive 415 may beimplemented by any other device and or device interface that storesand/or receives data. For example, the media drive 415 may beimplemented by a universal serial bus (USB) port that receives media viaa USB source (e.g., a host computer, a hard disk drive, a USB flashdrive, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, the media drive 415 may beimplemented by a Blu-ray drive, a hard disk drive, a CD drive, alaserdisc drive, etc. However, any other past, present, and/or futuretype of device for storing and/or receiving media may additionally oralternatively be used.

Monitor Installed in an Auxiliary Media Device

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative media device 505 of the example mediadevice 205 of FIG. 2. In contrast to the illustrated examples of FIGS. 2and/or 4, the example media device 505 of FIG. 5 is an auxiliary mediadevice. That is, the media device 505 is used in connection with anothermedia device (e.g., the media device 205 of FIG. 2, the media device 405of FIG. 5, etc.). As disclosed herein, the media device 505 is a mediadevice that interfaces with another media device for media relatedfunctionality, but not for direct media presentation functionality. Themedia device 505 of the illustrated example of FIG. 5 provides controlinformation such as, for example, a position of a user, an audiblecommand received from a user, an infrared signal, etc. to the mediadevice 405. In some examples, the media device 505 may be implementedby, for example, 3D glasses, a Microsoft Kinect®, a PlayStation® Eye, aRazer Hydra, a Bluetooth headset, etc. The example media device 505 ofthe illustrated example of FIG. 5 includes an audio sensor 510, aninfrared sensor 520, an image sensor 530, a network interface 535, apositioning processor 540, a logging interface 247, and a monitor 270.

The example audio sensor 510 of the illustrated example of FIG. 5 isimplemented by a microphone. However, any other type(s) and/or number(s)of audio sensor may additionally or alternatively be used. For example,the audio sensor 510 may be implemented by an audio pickup, apiezoelectric sensor, etc. In the illustrated example, the audio sensor510 is used to receive audio input from a user of the media device 505.The audio input may be used to, for example, control an interaction withthe media device (e.g., to control a video game), identify the user,identify a location of the user (e.g., near the audio sensor 510, farfrom the audio sensor 510, etc.), etc.

The example infrared sensor 520 of the illustrated example of FIG. 5 isimplemented by an infrared emitter (e.g., an infrared light emittingdiode (LED)) and an infrared detector. That is, the example infraredsensor 520 is implemented as an active infrared sensor. Active infraredsensors project an infrared signal using the LED into an area andmeasure a reflection of the projected infrared signal to determine oneor more characteristics of the measured area. However, any other type ofinfrared sensor may additionally or alternatively be used such as, forexample a passive infrared sensor. Passive infrared sensors do notinclude an infrared emitter and, instead, measure infrared signals thatare already present in the measured area. In some examples, the infraredsensor 520 is used to receive infrared commands from a remote devicesuch as, for example, a remote control.

The example image sensor 530 of the illustrated example of FIG. 5 isimplemented by a charge coupled device (CCD) and/or a complimentarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. However, any other type ofimage sensor may additionally or alternatively be used. In theillustrated example, the image sensor faces outwards into a presentationarea (e.g., towards a user). In the illustrated example, the imagesensor 530 is used to determine a position of the user, identifypresence of a user, identify how many users are present, etc. In someexamples, the image sensor 530 is positioned facing another media deviceto, for example, identify what is being presented by the media device.For example, the image sensor 530 may be positioned towards a televisionso that the auxiliary media device 505 may be used to identify mediabeing presented by the television.

In the illustrated example, the example infrared sensor 520 and/or theexample image sensor 530 are used to determine a position of the user.For example, the infrared sensor 520 and/or the image sensor 530 may beused to determine a position of a body part of the user (e.g., a head, atorso, an arm, a leg, etc.) In some examples, the position of the bodypart is used to identify a user. For example, a user may be requested toidentify themselves by, for example, waving an arm. In the illustratedexample, the user may waive their arm in response to a request forinformation such as, for example, “Mike, please wave if that is you,”“Please raise your arm if you found a last commercial entertaining,”etc. Requests for such information may be presented to the user via theoverlay controller 320 of FIG. 3.

The example network interface 535 of the illustrated example of FIG. 5is implemented by an Ethernet interface. In the illustrated example, thenetwork interface 535 transmits information to other media devices basedon instructions received from positioning processor 540. Suchinformation may include, for example, controls received from a user, aposition of the user, etc. While in the illustrated example, the networkcommunicator 535 is an Ethernet interface, any other type of interfacemay additionally or alternatively be used. For example, the networkcommunicator 370 might include one or more of a Bluetooth interface, aWi-Fi interface, a digital subscriber line (DSL) interface, a T1interface, etc. While in the illustrated example a single networkcommunicator 370 is shown, any number and/or type(s) of networkcommunicators may additionally or alternatively be used.

The example positioning processor 540 of the illustrated example of FIG.5 is implemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but it could additionally or alternatively be implementedby an application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmablelogic device(s) (PLD(s)), field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)),an analog circuit, and/or digital circuitry. In the illustrated example,the positioning processor 540 receives inputs from the audio sensor 510,the infrared sensor 520, and/or the image sensor 530. The receivedinputs are used to, for example, identify a position of user, identify auser, determine a number of users present, etc. Such information may betransmitted to other media devices to for example, control the othermedia devices. The example positioning processor 540 of the illustratedexample of FIG. 5 includes a logging interface 247. The example logginginterface 247 outputs information (e.g., a stream of activitynotifications) that may be analyzed to identify what the media device505 is doing at a particular time. For example, the logging interface247 may output information such as, for example, an identification of auser, a position of a user, a control received from a user, etc.Furthermore, the logging interface 247 may output diagnostic informationregarding the operation of the media device 505 such as, for example,whether the device is powered on, whether the network interface 535 isconnected, etc. In the illustrated example, the logging interface 247outputs the information to the monitor 270.

The example monitor 270 of the illustrated example of FIG. 2 isimplemented by a logic circuit such as a processor executinginstructions, but it could additionally or alternatively be implementedby an ASIC(s), PLD(s) and/or FPLD(s), an analog circuit, and/or othercircuitry. The example monitor 270 receives information related to theactivities of the media device 505 and stores the information in a datastore (e.g., the data store 360). In some examples, the monitor 270receives information from the audio sensor 510 and/or the image sensor530 to, for example, identify codes and/or signatures associated withthe media presented in the vicinity of the media device 505. The examplemonitor 270 transmits the information to the central facility 275 sothat it may be analyzed.

Multiple Monitors in Communication with Each Other

In the examples disclosed herein, media devices and/or monitorsassociated therewith may be configured in any number of ways to transmitmonitoring information to the central facility 275. FIGS. 6, 7, and/or 8illustrate example configurations of media devices and show how theexample media devices may transmit the monitoring information to thecentral facility 275.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system, in which the respective monitor ofeach media device reports monitoring information directly to the centralfacility 275 of FIG. 2. The illustrated example of FIG. 6 includes amedia device 605. In the illustrated example, the media device 605 isimplemented as an auxiliary media device such as, for example, aMicrosoft Kinect® sensor. However any other type of media device mayadditionally or alternatively be used such as, for example, a video gamecontroller, a PlayStation eye, a Razer Hydra, etc. In the illustratedexample, the media device 605 includes a monitor 606. The examplemonitor 606 monitors operations performed by the media device 605. Theexample monitor 606 of FIG. 6 transmits information regarding theoperations of the media device 605 directly to the central facility 275.

The illustrated example of FIG. 6 includes a media device 610. In theillustrated example, the media device 605 is implemented as a gamingconsole such as, for example, a Microsoft Xbox®. However any other typeof media device may additionally or alternatively be used such as, forexample, a Sony PlayStation®, a Nintendo Wii®, a personal computer, etc.In the illustrated example, the media device 610 receives control inputfrom the media device 605. In the illustrated example, the media device610 includes a monitor 611. The example monitor 611 monitors operationsof the media device 610. Monitoring operations of the media device 610enables, for example, identification of a game being played,identification of an avatar of a user, identification of streaming mediapresented via the media device 610, etc. The example media device 610 ofFIG. 6 transmits audio and/or video outputs to the media device 630.

The example media device 630 of the illustrated example of FIG. 6 isrepresented as an audio and/or video receiver. The example media device630 receives audio and/or video inputs from one or more audio and/orvideo sources (e.g., media devices), and selects a source to betransmitted to a media device 635 (e.g., a television, etc.). Theexample media device 630 of the illustrated example of FIG. 6 includes amonitor 631. The example monitor 631 monitors operations of the mediadevice 630. For example, the monitor 631 identifies which input isselected for output, a power state of the media device 630, a volumelevel of the media device 630, etc. The example monitor 631 of FIG. 6transmits such monitoring information directly to the central facility275.

The example media device 630 of the illustrated example of FIG. 6transmits a selected audio and/or video input to the media device 635.In the illustrated example, the media device 635 is implemented as amedia presentation device (e.g., a television). However, the mediadevice may be implemented by any other type of media presentationdevice. For example, the media device 635 may be implemented as acomputer monitor, a plasma TV, an audio system (e.g., speakers), etc.the example media device 635 includes a monitor 636. The example monitor636 monitors operations of the media device 635. For example, themonitor 636 identifies a volume level of the media device 635, a powerstate of the media device 635, a selected input of the media device 635,a selected channel of the media device 635, etc. The example monitor 636of FIG. 6 transmits monitoring information regarding the operation ofthe media device 635 directly to the central facility 275.

The example media device 630 receives inputs from other media devicessuch as, for example, a media device 615 (e.g., a DVD player, CD player,etc.), a media device 620 (e.g., a streaming media device such as a Rokumedia device, and Apple TV®, etc.), and a media device 625 (e.g., adigital video recorder (DVR), a set top box, etc.). However, the examplemedia device 630 may receive audio and/or video input from any numberand/or type(s) of media devices. In the illustrated example of FIG. 6,each of the media devices 615, the media device 620, and the mediadevice 625 include a respective monitor 616, 621, and 626. The monitors616, 621, and 626 monitor the operations of the respective media devices615, 620, and 625. In the illustrated example, the monitors 616, 621,626 monitor, for example, starts and stops of recordings, when media isstreamed to the associated media device, identifiers of media presentedin association with the media device, etc. The monitors 616, 621, and626 transmit monitoring information regarding the operations of themedia devices 615, 620, and 625 directly to the central facility 275.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 6, each of the monitors 606, 611,616, 621, 626, 631, 636 transmits monitoring information directly to thecentral facility 275. In the illustrated example, monitoring informationis transmitted via the Internet. However, individually configuring eachmonitor to be able to transmit data via the Internet to the centralfacility 275 may be difficult and/or time consuming. For example, if themonitors are to transmit information via a Wi-Fi network withinproximity of the monitors, in some examples, they must each beindividually configured to transmit information via the Wi-Fi network.To reduce the amount of configuration time, in some examples,configuration information concerning which Wi-Fi network to connect toand/or credentials for connecting to the Wi-Fi network is shared amongthe monitors 606, 611, 616, 621, 626, 631, 636. That is, a user (e.g., apanelist, an installer and/or representative of a monitoring entity) mayonly need to configure a single monitor to enable all monitors tocommunicate monitoring information to the central facility 275. In someexamples, configuration information and/or credentials for the Wi-Finetwork may be transmitted between the monitors using a mesh network(e.g., a network of Bluetooth devices, an ad hoc Wi-Fi network, etc.)

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system wherein the respective monitors606, 611, 616, 621, 626, 631, 636 of the media devices 605, 610, 615,620, 625, 630, 635 report monitoring information to a master monitor,which then reports the monitoring information to the central facility275 of FIG. 2. In the illustrated example of FIG. 7, the monitor 636 isconfigured as a master monitor. The other monitors 606, 611, 616, 621,626, 631 transmit monitoring information to the monitor 636. In theillustrated example of FIG. 7, the monitors 606, 611, 616, 621, 626, 631transmit the monitoring information to the monitor 636 via Bluetooth.However any other way of transmitting data may additionally oralternatively be used such as, for example, a Wi-Fi network, radiofrequency communication, an Ethernet cable, a universal serial bus (USB)cable, etc. The monitor 636 aggregates the received monitoringinformation in a data store (e.g., the data store 360) and periodicallyand/or a periodically transmits the monitoring information to thecentral facility 275.

In the illustrated example, the master monitor is shown as the monitor636. However, the master monitor may be implemented using any othermonitor. For example, the master monitor may be implemented by monitor631. Furthermore, multiple master monitors may be used. In some examplesthe number and/or types of media devices present is dependent on aconfiguration of an entertainment system (e.g., a home entertainmentsystem). Different entertainment systems may be configured differently.For example, one entertainment system may include an audio and/or videoreceiver while another may not. Furthermore, the entertainment systemmay be changed over time. For example, a media device (e.g., atelevision) may be replaced with a newer and/or different media device,a media device may be removed from the entertainment system (e.g., auser may no longer use a compact disc (CD) player in their entertainmentsystem), a media device may be added to the entertainment system (e.g.,new devices may be added as new media formats are created), etc.

To account for such varying configurations, the monitors 606, 611, 616,621, 626, 631, 636 communicate with each other to select a monitor tofunction as the master monitor. The master monitor may be selected basedon any number of criteria such as, for example, wireless signal strengthbetween the master monitor and other monitors, the capacity of the mediadevice associated with the monitor to receive user input (e.g., forconfiguring whether the monitors have permission to monitor theoperations of the respective media devices, for configuring how themonitor transmits information to the central facility 275, etc.), thetype of communication medium available for transmitting monitoringinformation to the central facility 275 (e.g., wired connections may bepreferred over wireless connections), a storage capacity of the datastore of the selected master monitor, an expected longevity of theselected master monitor (e.g., televisions and/or audio receivers may bechanged every five to ten years, whereas gaming consoles and/orstreaming media devices may be changed every one to three years, etc.),etc. Once selected, the monitors 606, 611, 616, 621, 626, 631 streammonitoring information to the master monitor 636. However, any other wayof transmitting monitoring information may additionally or alternativelybe used. For example, the monitors 606, 611, 616, 621, 626, 631 maylocally store information and periodically and/or aperiodically transmitthe monitoring information to the master monitor 636.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system wherein the respective monitor 606,611, 616, 621, 626, 631, 636 of each media device 605, 610, 615, 620,625, 630, 635 reports monitoring information to a local monitoring dataaggregator 810, which then reports the monitoring information to thecentral facility 275 of FIG. 2. Because entertainment systems are proneto change, a media device including a monitor selected as a mastermonitor may be removed without notice. In such an example, datatransmitted to the master monitor may be lost. Such data loss isundesired as it will likely result in an incomplete data set.Furthermore, media devices may be powered off and/or unplugged duringperiods of inactivity. If, for example, the master monitor were poweredoff while other monitors were monitoring operations of their respectivemedia devices, such monitoring information may not be stored by themaster monitor.

To account for such scenarios, a monitoring data aggregator 810 is usedin the illustrated example of FIG. 8. The example monitoring dataaggregator 810 of the illustrated example of FIG. 8 is implemented by alogic circuit such as a processor executing instructions, but it couldadditionally or alternatively be implemented by an ASIC(s), PLD(s)and/or FPLD(s), an analog circuit, and/or other circuitry. Themonitoring data aggregator 810 is a monitor (such as the monitor 270)that is separate from a media device. In the illustrated example, themonitoring data aggregator 810 receives power separately from the mediadevices 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630, 635. Accordingly, when the mediadevice 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630, 635 is unplugged, the monitoringdata aggregator 810 is not affected. The monitoring data aggregatorfunctions as a master monitor in that it receives monitoring data fromother monitors 606, 611, 616, 621, 626, 631, 635, and relays thereceived information to a central facility 275.

Example Use Case(s)

In the examples disclosed herein, each media device (e.g., the mediadevices 605, 610, 615, 620, 625, 630, 635) includes a monitor (e.g., themonitors 606, 611, 616, 621, 626, 631, 636). Each monitor stores data(e.g., monitoring data) based on the operation of the respective mediadevice. In the illustrated example, each monitor stores the monitoringinformation in a data store local to the monitor. As disclosed herein,the monitor may transmit the monitoring data to the central facility 275in any number of ways. FIG. 9 illustrates an example order of eventsassociated with different media devices. FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and/or 13illustrate example logs 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300 of monitoring datarecorded by monitors associated with different media devices.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 9, events associated with the mediadevice 635, the media device 620, the media device 615, and the mediadevice 610. In the illustrated example of FIG. 9, the events identifiedby the monitors of the respective media devices are arranged inchronological order (e.g., from the top of FIG. 9 to the bottom of FIG.9). For enhanced clarity, while the example media devices 635, 620, 615,and 610 correspond to the media devices shown in FIG. 6, they arefurther referred to herein as the television 635, the set-top box 620,the DVD player 615, and the gaming console 610 to reflect the mediafunctions they perform. However, any other media device may additionallyor alternatively be used. FIGS. 10-13 illustrate example logs ofmonitoring data that may be stored to reflect the activities of thetelevision 635, the streaming media player 620, the DVD player 615, andthe gaming console 610 as described in connection with FIG. 9.

The illustrated example of FIG. 9 begins when the television 635 ispowered on (block 902). The example television 635 is tuned to anover-the-air (OTA) media source such as, for example, an AdvancedTelevision Systems Committee (ATSC) broadcast (block 904). The monitor636 associated with the television 635 identifies the media presented bythe television (block 906). The input of the television 635 is then setto input High Definition Media Interface 1 (HDMI1) (block 908). In theillustrated example, the input labeled HDMI1 is associated with theset-top box 620. However, the input labeled HDMI1 may be associated withany other media device.

The set-top box 620 begins playing a recorded television show (block910). Meanwhile, because the input of the television has been selectedas HDMI1 corresponding to the set-top box 625, the monitor associatedwith the television 635 identifies the presented media (block 912). Theset top box 625 then performs one or more trick mode operations (block914). Such trick mode operations may include, for example, skippingahead thirty seconds within a media presentation, fast-forwarding,rewinding, pausing, playing, skipping backwards seven seconds, etc. Oncethe television show is completed the set-top box 625 ends playback ofrecorded television show (block 916). The television 635 is then poweredoff (block 918).

A first break 925 in the timeline illustrates that some time has passedafter the television 635 is powered off at block 918. The set-top box625 records television shows according to a schedule selected by user(block 930). For example, the user may have previously selected a numberof television shows they are interested in to have them recorded so thatthe recorded television shows can be viewed at a later time.

A second break 935 and the timeline illustrates that additional time ispast after the set-top box recorded the television shows in block 930.After the second break 935, the television 635 is powered on (block940). At approximately the same time, the DVD player 615 is powered on(block 942). The selected input of the television is changed to HDMI2,which corresponds to the DVD player 615 (block 944). The DVD player 615then begins playing a DVD (block 946). The monitor 636 associated withthe television 635 identifies the media presented by the television 635(block 948). In the illustrated example, the monitor 636 identifies themedia associated with the DVD player 615.

During playback of the DVD, the selected input of the television ischanged to HDMI3, which corresponds to the gaming console 610 (block950). The gaming console 610 is then powered on (block 952). Meanwhileplayback of the DVD via the DVD player 615 has not stopped. That is, theDVD player is still playing the DVD, however the media is not beingdisplayed because the input selected on the television has been changedto a different media device (i.e., the gaming console 610). Identifyingsuch a scenario enables the central facility 275 to properly credit themedia for the time it was presented.

The gaming console 610 begins playing a video game (block 954). In theillustrated example, the monitor 636 may not be able to identify thevideo game played by the gaming console 610. However, the monitor 636identifies that media is being presented via the selected inputassociated with the gaming console 610 (block 956). The gaming console610 is then powered off (block 958). The television 635 is powered off(block 960). The DVD player 615 then completes playback of the DVD(block 962). That is, from the time that the input of the television 635was changed in block 950 until the time that the DVD player completedplayback in block 962, the DVD player was playing the DVD but it was notpresented via the television 635. After a period of inactivity, the DVDplayer is powered off (block 964).

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and/or 13 illustrate example logs 1000, 1100, 1200,and 1300 of monitoring data recorded by monitors associated withdifferent media devices. The example logs 1000, 1100, 1200, and/or 1300each include a line number column, a timestamp column, and a recorddescription column. In the illustrated examples, the timestamp columnstores a timestamp of the corresponding row. The record descriptioncolumn describes the logged record. In the illustrated examples of FIGS.10, 11, 12, and/or 13, different types of records are logged. Forexample, an event record such as, for example, the event record of line1002 of FIG. 10, shows an event detected by the monitor. An event recordmay include, for example, a record of when a device was powered on, arecord of a tuning event (e.g., a channel change), a record of aselected input, a record of digital video recorder (DVR) activity, arecord of identified media, a record of a volume level, etc. Other typesof records may additionally or alternatively be stored such as, forexample, informational records, diagnostic records, no-activity records,etc.

In the illustrated examples of FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and/or 13, each linerepresents a single record. However, multiple records having the sameand/or different type may be combined to form a single record. Forexample, an informational record indicating a volume level may becombined with an event record indicating that a channel was changed. Inthe illustrated examples of FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and/or 13, records arestored as text data. However, records may be stored in any other formatsuch as, for example, binary data, column separated values (CSV),structured query language (SQL) data structures, etc.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example log 1000 of monitoring data stored by theexample monitor 636 of the example television 635 of FIG. 9. The examplelog 1000 includes an event record (line 1002) indicating that thetelevision 635 was powered on. The example line 1002 corresponds toblock 902 of FIG. 9. The television 635 is tuned to channel 9 (line1004). The example line 1004 corresponds to block 904 of FIG. 9. Thetuning event of line 1004 results in the recordation of informationalrecords indicating a volume level of the television 635 (line 1006), anda selected input (line 1008). In the illustrated example, the volumelevel of line 1006 is set to mute, indicating that audio is notpresented by the television 635. The example line 1008 indicates thetelevision is set to the selected input of an ATSC tuner (e.g., anover-the-air media source). In the illustrated example, the recordsassociated with lines 1004, 1006, and 1008 are recorded at substantiallythe same time (e.g., in response to same tuning event). In theillustrated example, lines 1006 and 1008 are recorded separately fromline 1004. However, in some examples, the records are recorded in thesame record and/or line. A volume level of the television 635 is thenincreased to eleven (line 1010).

The monitor 636 identifies media presented via television 635 (line1012). In the illustrated example, line 1012 includes a media identifierthat identifies the media. In the illustrated example, the mediaidentifier is a hexadecimal string of characters that uniquelyidentifies the media. However, any other type(s) and/or format(s) ofmedia identifier may additionally or alternatively be used. For example,the media identifier may be derived from a code and/or signatureidentified in the media, and/or may alternatively be a code and/orsignature itself. In the illustrated example, informational events arealso recorded indicating that the volume level is set to eleven (line1014), and that the input is sent to the ATSC tuner (line 1016). Howeverany other informational announcement additionally or alternatively bestored such as, for example, a selected channel, a name of a serviceprovider associated with the selected input (e.g., a cable provider, asatellite television provider, etc.), a name of the media to which thetelevision is tuned (e.g., a name of a television show, a name of amovie, etc.). Lines 1012, 1014, and 1016 correspond to block 906 of FIG.9.

In the illustrated example, the input of the television is changed toHDMI1 (line 1020). However, the input of the television 635 may bechanged to any other input such as, for example, a different tuner, amedia application (e.g., a Pandora application, a Hulu application, aNetflix application, etc.), a different input (e.g., an HDMI input, acomposite video input, etc.), etc. The example monitor 636 identifiesmedia presented via the television 635 (line 1022). In the illustratedexample, the example media identified in association with line 1022 isdifferent than the example media identified in association with line1012. In the illustrated example, informational events associated with(line 1022) are also recorded. For example, an informational eventindicating the volume level of the television 635 at the time line 1022was recorded is stored as line 1024. In the illustrated example, aninformational event indicating that the input of the television 635 wasset HDMI1 at the time line 1022 was recorded is stored as line 1026. Inthe illustrated example, lines 1022, 1024, and 1026 correspond to block912 of FIG. 9.

The television 636 is powered off (line 1030). Line 1030 corresponds toblock 918 of FIG. 9. While in the illustrated example line 1030 stores arecord of the power state of the television 636 as “OFF,” any otherpower state may additionally or alternatively be stored. For example, ifthe television 636 was to enter a low-power state (e.g., a sleep state,a hibernation state, etc.) after a period of inactivity, anidentification of the low power state may be recorded in the example log1000.

The television 636 is powered on (line 1040). Line 1040 corresponds toblock 940 of FIG. 9. In the illustrated example, shortly after thetelevision 636 is powered on line 1040, the input of the television 636is set to HDMI2 (line 1042). Line 1042 corresponds to block 944 of FIG.9. In the illustrated example, HDMI2 corresponds to an input from theDVD player 615. However, the HDMI2 input may correspond to any othermedia device.

In the illustrated example, the monitor 636 identifies media presentedby the television 635 (line 1044). In response to the identification ofthe media, the monitor 636 stores an informational record indicatingthat the volume level of the television 636 was set to eleven (line1046). The volume level of the television 636 is then set to mute by auser (line 1048). While the television 636 is muted, the monitor 636identifies media presented via the television 635 (line 1050). In theillustrated example, the media identifier of line 1050 represents a codeand/or signature associated with the DVD played by the DVD player. Inthe illustrated example, the media identifier of line 1050 represents anincremental serial number when compared to the media identifier of line1044. That is, the media identifier of line 1050 represents a sequentialcode and/or signature during playback of DVD after the media identifieridentified in line 1044. However, in some examples non-sequential mediaidentifiers may be used. In response to identifying the media in line1050 the monitor 636 stores and informational record indicating thevolume level is set to mute (line 1052). Lines 1044, 1046, 1048, 1050,and 1052 correspond to block 948 of FIG. 9.

The input of the television 636 is then set to HDMI3 (line 1060). In theillustrated example, input HDMI3 is associated with the gaming console610. Line 1060 corresponds to block 950 of FIG. 9. The monitor 636identifies the media has been played, but that it is not able toidentify played media (line 1062). Line 1062 corresponds to block 956 ofFIG. 9. In some examples, an indication the media is being played, butcannot be identified sometimes indicates that a video game is beingplayed. The monitor 636 records and informational record indicating thatthe volume level of the television 635 is set to eleven at the time thatthe identification of line 1062 was made (line 1064). The monitor 636then records that the television 635 is powered off (line 1066). Line1066 corresponds to block 960 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example log 1100 of monitoring data stored by theexample monitor 626 of the example set-top box 625 of FIG. 9. In theillustrated example of FIG. 11, the example log 1100 begins with anindication that the example set top box 625 recorded media (line 1102).In the illustrated example, the recorded media is a television show(e.g., Family Guy). However, any other type of media may additionally oralternatively be recorded such as, for example, a movie, music, etc. Inthe illustrated example, the meter 626 records and identifier of themedia being recorded in (line 1102). In the illustrated example, theidentifier of the media is a name of the media and a series/episodeidentifier; however, any other format and/or notation may be used foridentifying the recorded media. In the illustrated example, theidentifier of the recorded media is received based on a guide of theset-top box 625 that identifies a schedule of television shows broadcastby a service provider. However, the identifier of the recorded media maycome from any other source such as, for example, an identifiertransmitted within the media (e.g., a code and/or signature). In theillustrated example, the meter 626 stores an informational recordindicating that the recording of line 1102 is performed while tuned tochannel twelve (line 1104). In some examples, information such as atimestamp and a channel identifier may be used to determine what isrecorded by the set-top box after such information is transmitted to thecentral facility 275. For example, when a timestamp and a channelidentifier are associated with a geographic location and/or a serviceprovider, particular media (e.g., a television show, etc.) may beidentified.

After the set top box 625 begins recording the media at line 1102, theset-top box 625 begins playback of the recorded media. The meter 626stores a record indicating that the recorded television show is beingplayed (line 1106). At substantially the same time, the meter 626 storesinformational records indicating a date that the recorded televisionshow was recorded by the set-top box 625 (line 1108), and a date thatthe recorded television show was first aired (line 1110). However, anyother information may additionally or alternatively be recorded such as,for example, a rating of the media (e.g., a parental guidance ratingsuch as PG, PG-13, R, TV-PG, TV-MA, etc., parental guidance sub-ratingssuch as, dialog (D), sexual content (S), violence (V), language (L),etc.), a name of an actor appearing in the media, and identifier of theuser present during the media presentation, etc. Lines 1106, 1108, and1110 of the illustrated example of FIG. 11 correspond to block 910 ofFIG. 9.

The example set top box 625 performs a number of trick mode operations(lines 1112, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1120, and 1122). As shown in theillustrated example of FIG. 11, trick mode operations include skippingforward (lines 1112, 1114, 1116, and 1118) and skipping backward (lines1120 and 1122). However, any other trick mode operation may additionallyor alternatively be used. For example, trick mode operations may includefast forwarding, pausing, playing, rewinding, stopping, etc. While inthe illustrated example lines 1112, 1114, 1116, and 1118 indicate thatthe trick mode operation skipped forward thirty seconds, any otherskipping duration may additionally or alternatively be used.Furthermore, while the example lines 1120 and 1122 indicate that thetrick mode operation skipped backwards seven seconds, any other skippingduration may additionally or alternatively be used. For example, theset-top box 625 may skip forward fifteen seconds and backward threeseconds. In the illustrated example, lines 1112, 1114, 1116, 118, 1120,and 1122 corresponds to block 914 of FIG. 9. In some examples, trickmode operations may be used to determine, for example, which segments ofmedia a user is more likely to skip through (e.g., commercials, credits,etc.).

In the illustrated example of FIG. 11, the set-top box 625 ceasesrecording of the media (line 1130). In the illustrated example, therecord of line 1130 indicates that the recording was stopped thirtyseconds after the allotted airtime for the media expired. However, insome examples, the set-top box 625 may determine that aired media mayrun longer than the allotted time (e.g., a sports event that the goesinto overtime). In the illustrated example, even though the set-top box625 ceased recording the media as of line 1130, playback of the mediacontinues until line 1140. In some examples, identifying when playbackhas completed (e.g., as in line 1140) is useful because it assists indetermining how long recorded media is stored on the set top box 625before the media is played. In the illustrated example, the monitor 626stores an indication that playback is complete (line 1140). In theillustrated example, the record of line 1140 additionally indicates thatthe entirety of the media was played by denoting “end of media.” In someexamples, the record may alternatively indicate a total duration ofplayback, a time within the media at which the playback was stopped,etc. Furthermore, the monitor 626 stores an informational recordindicating that the media (e.g., the previous recording) was not deleted(line 1142). In the illustrated example of FIG. 11, lines 1140 and 1142correspond to block 916 of FIG. 9.

After the television 635 has been powered off (e.g., as in block 918 ofFIG. 9), the set-top box 625 may record additional media. In theillustrated example, the monitor 626 identifies that the set-top box 625begins recording additional media (e.g., a television show such as, forexample, “The Walking Dead”) (line 1150). In the illustrated example ofFIG. 11, the monitor 626 stores an informational record indicating achannel to which the set-top box was tuned when the recording started(line 1152). In the illustrated example, the monitor 626 further storesan informational record indicating that available recording spaceavailable on the set-top box 625 reached a lower threshold (line 1154).However, any other informational record may additionally oralternatively be stored. The set-top box 625 ceases recording the mediaapproximately one hour after the recording was started. However, anyother duration of media may additionally or alternatively be used. Themonitor 626 stores a record indicating that the set-top box 625 hasstopped recording (line 1156). In the illustrated example, the monitor626 stores an informational record indicating that the availablerecording space on the set-top box 625 is below the lower threshold(line 1158). Storing information such as recording thresholds and/oravailable storage space may be useful because it can be used to identifywhat types of media users delete from their set-top box 625 withouthaving first been viewed by the user when available storage space islow. For example, such information may be used to determine whether auser is more inclined to delete a recorded television show than arecorded movie when the available storage space of the set-top box 625is below a threshold (e.g., below twenty five percent remaining storagespace available, less than three gigabytes of storage space available,less than five hours of available recording space, etc.). In theillustrated example, lines 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, and 1158 correspondto block 930 FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example log 1200 of monitoring data stored by themonitor 616 of the DVD player 615 of FIG. 9. In the illustrated exampleof FIG. 12, the DVD player 615 is powered on. The monitor 616 associatedwith the DVD player 615 stores a record indicating that the DVD player615 is powered on (line 1202). In some examples, the record indicatingthat the DVD player 615 is powered on indicates how the power oninstructions received by the DVD player 615. For example, the record mayindicate that the DVD player 615 was powered on by a user pushing apower button physically located on the DVD player. Alternatively, therecord may indicate that the DVD player 615 was powered on by userpushing a power button on a remote device associated with the DVD player(e.g., a remote control). In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, line1202 corresponds to block 942 of FIG. 9.

The DVD player 615 then begins playing media (e.g., a DVD). A record ofthe played media is stored by the monitor 616 (line 1204). The examplemonitor 616 additionally stores informational records related to theplayback of the media. In the illustrated example, the monitor 616stores a record indicating that the source of the media is a DVD drive(line 1206). However, any other media source may additionally oralternatively be used such as, for example, a streaming media source, ahard disk drive, etc. The example monitor 616 stores a record of anidentifier retrieved from the media (line 1208). In the illustratedexample, the label indicates a title of the played DVD. However, anyother type of identifier may additionally or alternatively be used suchas, for example, a code, a signature, and identifier derived from a codeand/or signature, etc. In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, lines1204, 1206, and 1208 correspond to block 946 of FIG. 9.

The illustrated example of FIG. 12, the DVD player 615 fast forwardsplayback of the media. A record of the fast-forward event is stored bythe monitor 616 (line 1210). In the illustrated example, the media isfast forwarded at a rate of three times the normal play-rate. However,any other play-rate and/or media playback operation may additionally oralternatively be used. The DVD player 615 then resumes the normalplay-rate, and the monitor 616 stores a record indicating the change inplayback speed (line 1212). In some examples, stored records of playbackspeed may be used to identify which portions of media were presented,which portions of media users are more likely to fast-forward through,etc.

In the illustrated example, the DVD player 615 ends playback of themedia. The monitor 616 records an event indicating the termination ofplayback (line 1214). Storing the record indicating the stop time of isuseful because it assists in calculating and/or determining whichportions of the media were presented. After a period of that inactivity,the DVD player 615 automatically powers down. The monitor 616 stores arecord of the power-down operation (line 1216). In the illustratedexample, line 1216 indicates that the power-down operation was automatic(e.g., triggered by the DVD player after a period of inactivity).However, in some examples, the record indicating the power-downoperation may indicate that the power-down operation was performed atthe request of the user. In the illustrated example of FIG. 12, line1216 corresponds to line 964 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example log 1300 of monitoring data stored by themonitor 611 of the gaming console 610 of FIG. 9. In the illustratedexample of FIG. 13, the gaming console 610 is powered on. The monitor611 associated with the gaming console 610 stores a record indicatingthat the gaming console 610 is powered on (line 1302). The gamingconsole 610 then begins playing a videogame. The monitor 611 identifiesthat the videogame is being played and stores a record of theidentification (line 1304). In the illustrated example, the monitor 611identifies the title of the video game being played. However, additionaldetails related to the video game such as, for example a rating of thevideo game, a level within the game played by the user, a difficultysetting played by the user, the genre etc. may be recorded. The titleand/or the genre of the videogame may later be used to correlatedifferent types of video games to different users. For example, a userwho is more interested in sporting events may be more likely to play asports related videogame. The gaming console 610 is then powered down.The monitor 611 stores a record of the power-down event (line 1306).

While an example manner of implementing the monitor 270 of FIGS. 2, 4,and/or 5 is illustrated in FIG. 3, one or more of the elements,processes and/or devices illustrated in FIG. 3 may be combined, divided,re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way.Further, the example logging data receiver 310, the example overlaycontroller 320, the example media identifier 330, the exampletimestamper 340, the example registration data receiver 350, the exampledata store 360, the example data controller 365, the example networkcommunicator 370, and/or, more generally, the example monitor 270 ofFIG. 3 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/or anycombination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, for example,any of the example logging data receiver 310, the example overlaycontroller 320, the example media identifier 330, the exampletimestamper 340, the example registration data receiver 350, the exampledata store 360, the example data controller 365, the example networkcommunicator 370, and/or, more generally, the example monitor 270 ofFIG. 3 could be implemented by one or more circuit(s), programmableprocessor(s), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)),programmable logic device(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logicdevice(s) (FPLD(s)), etc. When reading any of the apparatus or systemclaims of this patent to cover a purely software and/or firmwareimplementation, at least one of the example logging data receiver 310,the example overlay controller 320, the example media identifier 330,the example timestamper 340, the example registration data receiver 350,the example data store 360, the example data controller 365, and/or theexample network communicator 370 are hereby expressly defined to includea tangible computer readable storage device or storage disc such as amemory, DVD, CD, Blu-ray, etc. storing the software and/or firmware.Further still, the example monitor 270 of FIG. 3 may include one or moreelements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of, thoseillustrated in FIG. 3, and/or may include more than one of any or all ofthe illustrated elements, processes and devices.

Flowcharts representative of example machine readable instructions forimplementing the example monitor 270 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIGS. 14, 15,16, 17, 18, and/or 19. In these examples, the machine readableinstructions comprise a program(s) for execution by a processor such asthe processor 2012 shown in the example processor platform 2000discussed below in connection with FIG. 20. The program(s) may beembodied in software stored on a tangible computer readable storagemedium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with theprocessor 2012, but the entire program and/or parts thereof couldalternatively be executed by a device other than the processor 2012and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware. Further, although theexample program(s) is described with reference to the flowchartillustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and/or 19, many other methodsof implementing the example monitor 270 may alternatively be used. Forexample, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/orsome of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined.

As mentioned above, the example processes of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,and/or 19 may be implemented using coded instructions (e.g., computerand/or machine readable instructions) stored on a tangible computerreadable storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, aread-only memory (ROM), a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disk(DVD), a cache, a random-access memory (RAM) and/or any other storagedevice or storage disk in which information is stored for any duration(e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, for brief instances, fortemporarily buffering, and/or for caching of the information). As usedherein, the term tangible computer readable storage medium is expresslydefined to include any type of computer readable storage device and/orstorage disk and to exclude propagating signals and to excludetransmission media. As used herein, “tangible computer readable storagemedium” and “tangible machine readable storage medium” are usedinterchangeably. Additionally or alternatively, the example processes ofFIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and/or 19 may be implemented using codedinstructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readable instructions)stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machine readable medium suchas a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a compactdisk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, a random-access memory and/orany other storage device or storage disk in which information is storedfor any duration (e.g., for extended time periods, permanently, forbrief instances, for temporarily buffering, and/or for caching of theinformation). As used herein, the term non-transitory computer readablemedium is expressly defined to include any type of computer readabledevice or disc and to exclude propagating signals and to excludetransmission media. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is usedas the transition term in a preamble of a claim, it is open-ended in thesame manner as the term “comprising” is open ended.

Monitor Enables Monitoring Based on Permission Received from the User(s)

When monitoring functionality is provided with media devices, suchmonitoring functionality may be provided to users who do not wish to bemonitored. Furthermore, some users expect to be compensated in exchangefor their participation in the monitoring effort. To that extent, themonitor 270 provided with the media devices does not monitor userswithout first receiving their permission. In some examples, users mayconsent to different levels of monitoring. That is, a user may becomfortable with their television viewing habits being monitored, butnot with having a camera (e.g., as part of an auxiliary media device)monitor who is present in a room.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart 1400 representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to obtain permission to enable monitoring. The example process1400 of FIG. 14 begins when the media device (e.g., the media device205) is powered on. The overlay controller 320 then presents anagreement via the display of the media device informing the user thatmonitoring may be enabled with their permission (block 1405). Theregistration data receiver 350 receives user input to determine whetherthe user has agreed to the agreement (block 1410). In the illustratedexample, user input is received via the control receiver 245. If theuser does not agree to monitoring, monitoring is not enabled and theexample process 1400 of FIG. 14 terminates.

If the user does agree to monitoring, the registration data receiver 350obtains demographic information from the user (block 1415). In theillustrated example, the registration data receiver 350 obtains thedemographic information via the control receiver 245. After the user hasagreed to be monitored, they may be referred to as a panelist. In theillustrated example, the demographic information includes, but is notlimited to, a geographic location of the panelist, and age of thepanelist, an income level of the panelist, etc. Such demographicinformation enables extrapolation and/or projection of media viewinghabits to population(s) of interest.

The network communicator 370 transmits the demographic information tothe central facility 275 (block 1420). In the illustrated example, thenetwork communicator 370 transmits the demographic information using anInternet connection. However, the demographic information may betransmitted in any other fashion. For example, the demographicinformation may be stored (e.g., cached, buffered, etc.) in the datastore 360 and transmitted to the central facility 275 at a differenttime. The registration data receiver 350 then enables monitoring (block1425) by, for example, enabling the logging data receiver 310 and/or themedia identifier 330. The logging data receiver 310 and/or the mediaidentifier 330 then proceed to monitor media presentations. In someexamples, the registration data receiver communicates the permissiongranted by the user to other media devices so that respective monitorsof the other media devices may also be enabled. In the illustratedexample, the data controller 365 enables an incentive to be issued tothe panelist (block 1430). In the illustrated example, the example datacontroller 365 sends a notification to the central facility 275 thatmonitoring has been enabled, thereby enabling the monitoring entity toprovide the incentive. In the illustrated example, the incentive is acredit towards a cable television bill. However, any other incentive mayadditionally or alternatively be used.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart 1500 representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to offer a monitoring agreement in exchange for permission toenable monitoring. The example process 1500 FIG. 15 begins when themedia device (e.g., the media device 205) is powered on. Theregistration data receiver 350, in conjunction with the overlaycontroller 320, obtains demographic information from a user (block1505). In the illustrated example of FIG. 15, demographic information isobtained prior to the user agreeing to become a panelist. This is usefulbecause, for example, it enables the monitoring entity to determinewhether they would offer a monitoring agreement to the user based on thedemographic information. The example registration data receiver 350determines whether to offer a monitoring agreement to the user (block1510). In some examples, the registration data receiver 350 communicateswith the central facility 275 via the network communicator 370 todetermine whether a monitoring agreement should be offered. In theillustrated example, the registration data receiver 350 and/or thecentral facility 275 determines whether to offer the monitoringagreement based on whether other users having similar demographiccharacteristics are already monitored. For example, if the centralfacility 275 already receives a large amount of data from users having asimilar demographic, additional data from users having the samedemographic may be of lower value when compared to users having adifferent demographic. Such information may additionally oralternatively be used to determine incentives offered to the panelist.

If the monitoring agreement is not to be offered, the registration datareceiver 350 waits for a period of time (block 1515) before obtainingupdated demographic information (block 1505). In the illustratedexample, the registration data receiver 350 waits for a period of onemonth before asking the user for updated demographic information.However, any other duration may additionally or alternatively be used.In the illustrated example, the registration data receiver 350 waits forone month so as to not repetitively asked the user for updateddemographic information. In some examples, the registration datareceiver 350 asks the user to confirm that the previous demographicinformation is still correct.

If the example registration data receiver 350 determines that themonitoring agreement is to be offered (block 1510), the exampleregistration data receiver 350 determines an incentive to be offered inconnection with the monitoring agreement (block 1520). In theillustrated example, the incentive is a credit towards a cabletelevision bill. However, any other incentive may additionally oralternatively be used such as, for example, gift cards, cash, goods,services, etc. In some examples, the incentive offered may be based onthe level of monitoring proposed in the monitoring agreement. Forexample, a higher incentive may be offered when the monitoring agreementincludes permission to identify users within an audience (e.g., via animaging device such as the image sensor 530 of FIG. 5). The registrationdata receiver 350 then determines a duration of the monitoring agreementto be offered block 1525. In the illustrated example, the duration ofthe monitoring agreement is three months. However, any other durationmay additionally or alternatively be used. In the illustrated example,the duration of the monitoring agreement corresponds to the offeredincentive. For example, a larger incentive maybe offered for monitoringover a longer time period.

The example overlay controller 320 displays the agreement via the mediadevice 205 (block 1530). If the user does not agree to the monitoringagreement, the registration data receiver 350 proceeds to wait for aperiod of time (block 1515) before determining whether the demographicinformation remains correct (block 1505), and whether a monitoringagreement is to be offered (block 1510).

If the user agrees to the monitoring agreement (block 1535), theregistration data receiver 350 enables monitoring (block 1540) by, forexample, enabling the logging data receiver 310 and/or the mediaidentifier 330. The logging data receiver 310 and/or the mediaidentifier 330 then proceed to monitor media presentations. In theillustrated example, the data controller 365 enables an incentive to beissued to the panelist (block 1540). In the illustrated example, theexample data controller 365 sends a notification to the central facility275 that monitoring has been enabled, thereby enabling the monitoringentity to provide the incentive. In the illustrated example, theincentive is a credit towards a cable television bill. However, anyother incentive may additionally or alternatively be used. In theillustrated example of FIG. 15, the incentive is time-limited based onthe duration of the monitoring agreement. For example, once themonitoring agreement reaches its termination, the incentive is alsoterminated.

The registration data receiver 350 periodically and/or aperiodicallydetermines whether the duration of the monitoring agreement has expired(block 1545). In the illustrated example, the registration data receiver350 makes the determination once a day. However, any other timing formaking such a determination may additionally or alternatively be usedsuch as, for example, making the determination upon adding a record tothe data store 360, making the determination after data is transmittedto the central facility 275, etc. If the monitoring agreement has notexpired, no changes are made and the registration data receiver 350periodically and/or aperiodically re-checks to determine whether themonitoring agreement has expired. If the monitoring agreement hasexpired, the registration data receiver 350 disables monitoring (block1550) by disabling the logging data receiver 310 and/or the mediaidentifier 330. The example data controller 365 then disables theincentive (block 1552). In the illustrated example, the data controller365 sends a notification to the central facility 275 that the incentivehas been disabled. However, the incentive may be disabled in any otherfashion. For example, the incentive may be automatically disabled by thecentral facility 275 after the monitoring period has expired. Once themonitoring agreement has expired (block 1550) and the incentive has beendisabled (block 1552), the registration data receiver 350 determines,whether an additional monitoring agreement should be offered (blocks1505 and 1510).

Monitor Interacts with Functionality of the Media Device

In the examples disclosed herein, the monitor 270 receives logginginformation from the logging interface 247 of the media device 205, 405,and/or 505. In some examples, the monitor 270 receives data fromadditional components of the media device 205, 405, and/or 505 such as,for example, the control receiver 245, the audio output 255, the videooutput 257, etc. The example monitor 270 processes the receivedinformation and stores the information in the data store 360 in a logsuch as for example, the logs 1000, 1100, 1200, and/or 1300 of FIGS. 10,11, 12, and/or 13.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to create a log of monitoring data. The example process 1600 ofFIG. 16 begins when the logging data receiver 310 and/or the mediaidentifier 330 are enabled (e.g., blocks 1425 and/or 1540). In theillustrated example, the logging data receiver 310 determines if acontrol event is received from the logging interface 247 (block 1605).The control event may be, for example, a control notification from thelogging interface 247 indicating that the control processor 240 hasissued a command. The control notification may include for example, anindication that the control processor 240 has instructed the switch 250to change selected inputs, an indication that the control processor 240has instructed the tuner 220 to tune to a different channel, anindication that the control processor 240 as instructed the mediaapplication 230 to stream media, etc. If the control event is detected(block 1605), the logging data receiver 310 creates a record of thecontrol event (block 1610). If the control event is not detected (block1605), the media identifier 330 attempts to determine media-identifyingdata associated with presented media (e.g., a code, a signature,metadata derived from a code and/or a signature). The media identifier330 determines if the media-identifying data is identified (block 1620).If the media-identifying data is not identified, the logging datareceiver 310 continues to wait for data from the logging interface 247(block 1605). If the media-identifying data is identified, the mediaidentifier 330 creates a record of the media identifying data (block1625). In the illustrated example, the media identifier 330 creates arecord including the media identifying data. However, in some examples,the media identifier 330 creates a record that is based on the mediaidentifying data.

The timestamper 340 then timestamps the record created by the loggingdata receiver 310 (block 1610) and/or the media identifier 330 (block1625). Timestamping (e.g., recording a time that an event occurred)enables accurate identification and/or correlation of media that waspresented and/or the time that it was presented with the user(s) of themedia device.

The example data controller 365 determines whether the record should betransmitted to the central facility 275 (block 1635). In some examples,records are streamed to the central facility as they are identifiedand/or created. If the example data controller 365 is to transmit therecord to the central facility (block 1635), the network communicator370 transmits the record to the central facility 275 (block 1640). Insome examples, records are stored in the data store 360 so that they maybe transmitted in a single transmission (e.g., a single HTTP request, asingle file transfer protocol (FTP) command, etc.). If the examplenetwork communicator is not to transmit the record to the centralfacility 275 (block 1635), the record is stored in the data store 360 bythe data controller 365 (block 1645).

The data controller 365 determines whether a storage threshold of thedata store 360 has been met or exceeded (block 1650). In the illustratedexample, the threshold represents an amount of time that records may bestored in the data store 360 before being transmitted to the centralfacility 275. Records may be stored for, for example, one hour, one day,one week, one month, etc. However, any other type of threshold mayadditionally or alternatively be used such as, for example, a storagelimit (e.g., 1 kB, 64 kB, 1 MB, etc.). If the storage threshold isexceeded, the network communicator 370 transmits the stored records tothe central facility 275 (block 1640). If the storage threshold is notexceeded, the logging data receiver 310 continues to wait for controlevents from the logging interface 247 (block 1605).

While in the illustrated example, a storage threshold is used todetermine when to transmit monitoring information, any other way ofmaking such a determination may additionally or alternatively be used.For example, monitoring information may be transmitted to the centralfacility 275 at a fixed interval (e.g., 30 minutes, 3 hours, 1 day, 1week, etc.), monitoring information may be transmitted in response to anexternal event (e.g., user pushes a synchronize button, the centralfacility 275 requests updated monitoring information, etc.).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to create a log of monitoring data. In the illustrated example,the logging data receiver 310 determines if a control event is receivedfrom the logging interface 247 (block 1705). The control event may be,for example, a control notification from the logging interface 247indicating that the control processor 240 has issued a command. Thecontrol notification may include for example, an indication that thecontrol processor 240 has instructed the switch 250 to change a selectedinput, an indication that the control processor 240 has instructed thetuner 220 to tune to a different channel, an indication that the controlprocessor 240 as instructed the media application 230 to stream media,etc.

If the control event is detected (block 1705), the logging data receiver310 creates a record of the control event (block 1710). If the controlevent is not detected (block 1705), the media identifier 330 attempts todetermine media-identifying data associated with presented media (e.g.,a code, a signature, metadata derived from a code and/or a signature).The media identifier 330 determines if the media-identifying data isidentified (block 1720). If the media-identifying data is notidentified, the logging data receiver 310 creates a no-activity record(block 1725). No-activity records are useful because they indicate thatthe monitor 270 was active, but that no activity was occurring at thetime the record was created. If the media-identifying data isidentified, the media identifier 330 creates a record of themedia-identifying data (block 1725). In the illustrated example, themedia identifier 330 creates a record including the media-identifyingdata. However, in some examples, the media identifier 330 creates arecord that is based on the media identifying data.

The timestamper 340 then timestamps the record created by the loggingdata receiver 310 (blocks 1710 and/or 1730) and/or the media identifier330 (block 1675). Timestamping (e.g., recording a time that an eventoccurred) enables accurate identification and/or correlation of mediathat was presented and/or the time that it was presented with theuser(s) of the media device.

The timestamped record is stored in the data store 360 (block 1735). Thedata controller 365 then determines whether a storage threshold of thedata store 360 has been met or exceeded (block 1740). In the illustratedexample, the threshold represents an amount of time that records may bestored in the data store 360 before being transmitted to the centralfacility 275. However, any other type of threshold may additionally oralternatively be used. If the storage threshold is exceeded, the networkcommunicator 370 transmits the store records to the central facility 275(block 1745). If storage threshold is not exceeded, the data controller365 determines whether aged records exist in the data store (block1750). Aged records may include, for example, records that areassociated with a time period older than a threshold (e.g., ninety days,one year, etc.), records that are no longer associated with the samepanelist (e.g., a media device may have been returned and/or sold whilemonitoring data was stored thereon), etc. If aged records are detected(block 1750), the data controller 365 deletes the aged records from thedata store (block 1755). The logging data receiver 310 then continues towait for control events from the logging interface 247 (block 1705).

Monitor Interacts with Functionality of the Media Device

In examples disclosed herein, the monitor 270 may interact withfunctionality of the media device (e.g., the media device 205, 405,and/or 505). Such interaction may be useful for identifying userspresent for a media presentation (e.g., is a particular person in theaudience). In some examples, the monitor 270 interacts with inputsand/or sensors of auxiliary media devices (e.g., a Microsoft Kinect®)for enhanced monitoring capability. For example, the audio sensor 510,the infrared sensor 520, and/or the image sensor 530 may be used to, forexample, identify a person in the audience, receive feedback to anoverlay presented by the overlay controller 320, etc. In some examples,the identified users are used to correlate which users are present inthe audience to which media is presented. However, identifying whichusers are present enables other functionality as well. For example, ifan R rated movie is presented and a user identified to be a child entersthe audience, an overlay may be presented to prevent the child fromviewing the R rated movie.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to identify users present for a media presentation. The exampleprocess 1800 of the illustrated example of FIG. 18 begins when thelogging data receiver 310 and/or the media identifier 330 are enabled.The logging data receiver 310 determines if the media device (e.g., themedia device 205, 405, and/or 505) is active (block 1805). The mediadevice may be determined to be active when, for example, it ispresenting media, it is powered on, etc. If the media device is notactive, the logging data receiver 310 proceeds to wait for a period oftime (block 1810). If the media device is active, the media identifier330 determines whether presented media can be identified (block 1815).If the media can be identified, the media identifier 330 identifies thepresented media (block 1825). The media identifier then determineswhether the identified media suggests that a particular user is present(block 1830). For example, if it is determined that a particular userhas an affinity for a particular show, detecting the show may alsoindicate that the particular user is present.

If the identified media suggests that a particular user is present(block 1830), the overly controller 320 presents an overlay the of themedia device asking the user to confirm their identity (block 1835). Thelogging data receiver 310 then determines based on a sensor inputwhether additional uses are present (block 1840). For example, if animage sensor (e.g., the image sensor 530 and/or the infrared sensor 520of FIG. 5) indicates that multiple users are present in the audience, itmay be advantageous to ask those users to identify themselves. Ifadditional users are present (block 1840) and/or if the presented mediacannot be identified (block 1815), the users are asked to identifythemselves. In the illustrated example, users are asked identifythemselves via an overlay presented by the overlay controller 320. Userresponses to the overlay may be received by the logging data receiver310 based on control inputs received by the media device (e.g., a userpresses a button on a remote control, a user raises their arm, etc.) thedata controller 365 then stores a record indicating which users arepresent (block 1845).

In the illustrated example, a single record is stored referencing eachof the users present (e.g., one record is stored indicating that Mike,Bob, and Cheryl are present). However, in some examples, multiplerecords may be stored each referencing a single user (e.g., a firstrecord indicating that Mike is present is stored, a second recordindicating that Bob is present, and a third record indicating thatCheryl is present). The timestamper 340 stores a timestamp inassociation with the record (block 1850). Storing a timestamp inassociation with a record of the identified user(s) is useful because itenables correlation of which media was presented with which user(s) werepresent. The logging data receiver 310 then waits a period of time(block 1810) before attempting to identify additional users.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart representative of example machine-readableinstructions which may be executed to implement the example meter ofFIG. 3 to identify users present for a media presentation using animaging device. The example process 1900 of the illustrated example ofFIG. 19 begins when the logging data receiver 310 and/or the mediaidentifier 330 are enabled. The logging data receiver 310 determines ifthe media device (e.g., the media device 205, 405, and/or 505) is active(block 1905). If the media device is not active, the logging datareceiver 310 proceeds to wait for a period of (time 1910). If the mediadevice is active, the logging data receiver 310 connects to an imagingdevice (e.g., an image sensor) of the media device (block 1915). Thelogging data receiver 310, in connection with the positioning processor540 of the illustrated example of FIG. 5 identifies user(s) present nearthe media device. For example, the Microsoft Kinect® sensor may be usedto identify users present near the media device. If users are identifiedby the logging data receiver 310 (block 1915), the overlay controller320 presents an overlay asking the user(s) to confirm their identities(block 1935). Asking the user(s) to confirm their identities enhancesdata integrity. However, in some examples, the users may not be asked toconfirm their identifies if the recognition capability of the imagingdevice (e.g., a Microsoft Kinect®) is sufficient to ensure dataintegrity.

If users are not identified by the logging data receiver 310 (block1915), the overlay controller 320 presents an overlay asking users toself-identify. User responses to the overlay may be received by thelogging data receiver 310 based on control inputs received by the mediadevice (e.g., a user presses a button on a remote control, a user raisestheir arm, etc.) the data controller 365 then stores a record indicatingwhich users are present (block 1940). In the illustrated example, asingle record is stored referencing each of the users present. However,in some examples, multiple records may be stored each referencing asingle user. The timestamper 340 stores a timestamp in association withthe record (block 1945). Storing a timestamp in association with arecord of the identified users is useful because it enables correlationof which media was presented with which users were present. The loggingdata receiver 310 then waits a period of time (block 1910) beforeattempting to identify additional users.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 2000 capableof executing the instructions of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and/or 19 toimplement the monitor 270 of FIG. 3. The processor platform 2000 can be,for example, a server, a personal computer, a mobile device (e.g., acell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an iPad™), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a DVD player, a CDplayer, a digital video recorder, a Blu-ray player, a gaming console, apersonal video recorder, a set top box, or any other type of computingdevice.

The processor platform 2000 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 2012. The processor 2012 of the illustrated example ishardware. For example, the processor 2012 can be implemented by one ormore integrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors, orcontrollers from any desired family or manufacturer.

The processor 2012 of the illustrated example includes a local memory2013 (e.g., a cache). The processor 2012 of the illustrated example isin communication with a main memory including a volatile memory 2014 anda non-volatile memory 2016 via a bus 2018. The volatile memory 2014 maybe implemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM),Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory(RDRAM), and/or any other type of random access memory device. Thenon-volatile memory 2016 may be implemented by flash memory and/or anyother desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 2014,2016 is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 2000 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 2020. The interface circuit 2020 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 2022 are connectedto the interface circuit 2020. The input device(s) 2022 permit a user toenter data and commands into the processor 2012. The input device(s) canbe implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, a camera(still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, atrack-pad, a trackball, isopoint, and/or a voice recognition system.

One or more output devices 2024 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 2020 of the illustrated example. The output devices 2024 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactileoutput device, a light emitting diode (LED), a printer and/or speakers).The interface circuit 2020 of the illustrated example, thus, typicallyincludes a graphics driver card.

The interface circuit 2020 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data withexternal machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network2026 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform 2000 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 2028 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 2028 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAIDsystems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives.

The coded instructions 2032 of FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and/or 19 maybe stored in the mass storage device 2028, in the volatile memory 2014,in the non-volatile memory 2016, and/or on a removable tangible computerreadable storage medium such as a CD or DVD.

Although certain example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacturehave been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scopeof the claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A television comprising: means for processing; means for displaying; means for receiving media input; means for receiving user input; a first means for monitoring, installed in the television at a time of manufacture of the television, the first monitoring means including: means for obtaining demographic information of a user via the user input receiving means; means for collecting, when enabled, first monitoring information identifying first media, the first media presented via the displaying means, the collecting means to receive the first monitoring information from a second means for monitoring of a media device separate from the television, the media device to transmit the first media to the television via the media receiving means; means for presenting a monitoring agreement to the user via the displaying means of the television; and first means for enabling the collecting means to collect the first monitoring information if the monitoring agreement is accepted, the first enabling means to not enable the collecting means if the monitoring agreement is not accepted, the first enabling means to communicate with second means of enabling of the second monitoring means to select the first monitoring means to act as a master monitor, the second monitoring means to transmit the first monitoring information to a central facility of the audience measurement entity via the master monitor.
 2. The television of claim 1, wherein the first monitoring means further includes means for transmitting the demographic information to the central facility of the audience measurement entity.
 3. The television of claim 1, wherein the first monitoring means further includes means for transmitting the first monitoring information to the central facility of the audience measurement entity.
 4. The television of claim 1, wherein the enabling means is further to determine an incentive to offer the user in the monitoring agreement, the incentive being based on the demographic information.
 5. The television of claim 1, wherein the selection of the first monitoring means to act as the master monitor is based on a capacity of a memory of at least one of the television or the media device.
 6. The television of claim 1, wherein the selection of the first monitoring means to act as the master monitor is based on an expected longevity of at least one of the television or the media device.
 7. The television of claim 1, wherein the selection of the first monitoring means to act as the master monitor is based on an ability of the television or the media device to receive user input.
 8. A first media device comprising: means for processing; means for receiving media input; means for receiving user input; a first means for monitoring installed in the first media device at a time of manufacture of the first media device, the first monitoring means including: means for obtaining demographic information of a user via the user input receiving means; means for collecting, when enabled, first monitoring information identifying first media, the collecting means to receive the first monitoring information from a second means for monitoring of a second media device separate from the first media device; means for presenting a monitoring agreement to the user via a means for outputting of the first media device; and first means for enabling to: enable the collecting means to collect the first monitoring information if the monitoring agreement is accepted, the enabling means to not enable the collecting means if the monitoring agreement is not accepted; communicate with a second enabling means of the second monitoring means to collect a property of the second means for monitoring; and select the first monitoring means to act as a master monitor based on a comparison of a property of the first monitoring means and the property of the second monitoring means, the second monitoring means to transmit the first monitoring information to a central facility of an audience measurement entity via the master monitor, wherein the property of the first monitoring means includes a capacity of a memory of the first media device and the property of the second monitoring means includes a capacity of a memory of the second media device.
 9. The first media device of claim 8, wherein the first monitoring means further includes means for transmitting to transmit the demographic information to the central facility of the audience measurement entity.
 10. The first media device of claim 8, wherein the first monitoring means further includes means for transmitting to transmit the first monitoring information to the central facility of the audience measurement entity.
 11. The first media device of claim 8, wherein the first enabling means is further to determine an incentive to offer the user in the monitoring agreement, the incentive being based on the demographic information.
 12. The first media device of claim 11, wherein the first enabling means is further to base the incentive on based on a duration of the enablement of the collecting means.
 13. The first media device of claim 8, further including a means for selecting one of the first media received via the media receiving means or second media received via a second means for media receiving for output via the outputting means of the first media device.
 14. The first media device of claim 8, wherein the first enabling means is further to communicate with the second enabling means to enable a second means for collecting of the second monitoring means in response to acceptance of the monitoring agreement.
 15. A media device comprising: means for displaying; means for receiving infrared input commands; means for transmitting; means for storing including machine readable instructions; and means for processing to execute the machine readable instructions to at least: determine an amount of an incentive to be offered to a user of the media device, the amount of the incentive is based on a level of monitoring to be performed by monitor software, the level of monitoring including authorization to determine the user is an audience member of the media device via an imaging device; present, via the displaying means, information to indicate that monitor software in the media device can be enabled and the amount of the incentive, the monitor software to monitor media presented by the media device, the monitor software to be disabled by default; detect a first user input received via the means for receiving infrared input commands, the first user input to authorize the monitor software in the media device to be enabled; and in response to detection of the first user input: enable the monitor software in the media device to generate and report at least one of video fingerprints, audio fingerprints, video watermarks or audio watermarks representative of media presented by the media device; transmit, via the transmitting means, a first notification to a remote monitoring entity to indicate that the monitor software in the media device has been enabled; and transmit, via the transmitting means, a second notification to the remote monitoring entity, the second notification to enable issuance of the incentive.
 16. The media device of claim 15, wherein the processing means is further to present the information indicating that the monitor software in the media device can be enabled in response to the media device being powered on.
 17. The media device of claim 15, wherein the media device is a smart television.
 18. The media device of claim 15, wherein the first user input authorizes the monitor software in the media device to be enabled for a duration, the amount of the incentive is based on the duration.
 19. The media device of claim 15, the amount of the incentive is based on demographic information of the user.
 20. The media device of claim 19, wherein the means for receiving infrared input commands is further to receive the demographic information via a user input. 